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Right bundle branch block as a marker for interatrial septal abnormalities

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 June 2011

Aurora Bakalli ,
Dardan Koçinaj ,
Ljubica Georgievska-Ismail ,
Tefik Bekteshi ,
Ejup Pllana  and
Basri Sejdiu
Aurora Bakalli*
Affiliation:
Department of Cardiology, Clinic of Internal Medicine, University Clinical Center of Kosova, Prishtina, Kosovo
Dardan Koçinaj
Affiliation:
Department of Cardiology, Clinic of Internal Medicine, University Clinical Center of Kosova, Prishtina, Kosovo
Ljubica Georgievska-Ismail
Affiliation:
Outpatient Department for Coronary Artery Disease, University Clinic of Cardiology, Medical School, University ‘St. Cyril and Methodius’, Skopje, Macedonia
Tefik Bekteshi
Affiliation:
Department of Cardiology, Clinic of Internal Medicine, University Clinical Center of Kosova, Prishtina, Kosovo
Ejup Pllana
Affiliation:
Department of Cardiology, Clinic of Internal Medicine, University Clinical Center of Kosova, Prishtina, Kosovo
Basri Sejdiu
Affiliation:
Department of Cardiology, Clinic of Internal Medicine, University Clinical Center of Kosova, Prishtina, Kosovo
*
Correspondence to: A. Bakalli, Rr. Gazmend Zajmi nr. 23, 10000 Prishtina, Kosovo. Tel: +37744151111; Fax: +38138223153; E-mail: abakalli@hotmail.com
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Abstract

Background

Interatrial septal anomalies, which include atrial septal defect, patent foramen ovale, and atrial septal aneurysm, are common disorders among adult patients. Early detection of interatrial septal anomalies is important in order to prevent haemodynamic consequences and/or thromboembolic events. Electrocardiogram offers some clues that should serve as hints for detection of interatrial abnormalities. The aim of our study was to analyse the interatrial septum by transoesophageal echocardiography in patients with electrocardiogram signs of right bundle branch block and in those without right bundle branch block.

Methods and results

In a prospective study, 87 adult patients were included, that is, 41 with electrocardiogram signs of right bundle branch block forming the first group and 46 without right bundle branch block forming the second group. Interatrial septal anomalies were present in 80.5% of the patients with right bundle branch block, with patent foramen ovale (39.02%) being the most prevalent disorder, followed by atrial septal aneurysm (21.9%) and atrial septal defect (19.5%). Interatrial septal abnormalities were significantly more frequent in the first group compared with the second group (80.5% versus 6.5%, p value less than 0.001). Independently, patent foramen ovale was significantly more prevalent in patients with right bundle branch block (39.02% versus 4.3%, p value less than 0.001), as were atrial septal aneurysm (21.9% versus 2.2%, p value equal 0.01) and atrial septal defect (19.5% versus 0%, p value equal 0.004).

Conclusions

Right bundle branch block should serve as a valuable indicator to motivate a detailed search for interatrial septal abnormalities.

Keywords

Atrial septal defectpatent foramen ovaleatrial septal aneurysmtransesophageal echocardiography
Type
Original Articles
Information
Cardiology in the Young , Volume 22 , Issue 1 , February 2012 , pp. 18 - 25
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2011

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